Almost three decades after Pac-Man was first kicked to the curb, residents once again voted to keep him out of Marshfield.

A proposal to allow coin-operated video games back into the town’s restaurants and grocery shops was shot down Monday, as residents voted 655 to 554 to keep Marshfield a game-free zone.

Much as they did in 1982 and again in 1994, residents voted against the beeping of Pac-Man and Tron, outweighing those in favor of the measure to welcome the games back to town.

“It’s hard enough now to keep my son off the video games,” said Joe Pecevich, who joined a handful of residents who spoke about the negative impact the games would have on both children and the dining experience at local eateries.

“Let’s send a message to the nation, Pecevich said. “The nation is watching us – we’ve had enough.”

The proposal to repeal the bylaw – enacted in an effort to keep arcades from setting up shop and control the pastime’s hold over town youth – was placed by petition on the town meeting agenda by lifelong resident George Mallett.

Mallett proposed the repeal after years of joking about the “prohibition” and regaling out-of-towners with tales of his hometown’s bizarre ban on gaming, he said.

“We’re the only town in the United States that outlaws video games,” he told voters. “Let’s just change the law – it’s old, it’s stupid and we should change it.”

After passing in 1982, the ban split residents, infuriated local shop owners and threw Marshfield into the national spotlight as the law made its way through the state’s legal system. The debate ended in 1983, when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal from the business owners who were forced to pull the plug.

In 1994, the ban was again challenged at town meeting, but officials and residents vehemently opposed the return of game machines, swearing that adult entertainment and other “smut” would follow.

Despite a number of vocal critics that demanded Marshfield maintain its character by keeping Donkey Kong out, several residents spoke Monday in support of Mallett’s venture.

Jacqueline Little pleaded with fellow voters to end the ban and bring the town “out of the dark ages.”

“I understand there are people who can’t control their kids (playing video games) – but that’s their problem,” Little said. “I’m 55 and I like pinball machines.”